AMC series chose New Bedford for its historic backdrop. Here's one group to thank for that

Seth Chitwood, Standard-Times
·4 min read

NEW BEDFORD — When choosing a location to film the 1930s period piece "Invitation to a Bonfire," a location scout was told to check out the Whaling City because of its historic downtown area.

One organization to thank for preserving the city’s historical beauty is the Waterfront Historic Area LeaguE (WHALE).

“It wouldn’t be attractive to film crews if it wasn’t for some of the work that WHALE has done,” said Georgia McDonald, development manager for the preservation nonprofit.

“I’m not saying that we deserve accolades all the time, but I don't think we should be forgotten.”

Vintage cars are parked on the side of Acushnet Avenue as filming continues on a TV series, 'Invitation to a Bonfire,' set in the 1930s being filmed in downtown New Bedford.
Vintage cars are parked on the side of Acushnet Avenue as filming continues on a TV series, 'Invitation to a Bonfire,' set in the 1930s being filmed in downtown New Bedford.

In the words of Sarah Delano, the president of WHALE from 1966 to 1982, “If you bulldoze your heritage, you become just anywhere.”

WHALE was established in 1962, when they stepped in as Route 18 was being built, to help move buildings out of the wrecking ball’s path.

“Most of the beautiful downtown buildings were saved by WHALE: the Zeiterion Theater, the Candleworks building, the Double Bank building, the Seamen's Bethel, the Mariners Home and the Corson building,” McDonald said.

More:This New Bedford house is the 'star' of 'Invitation to a Bonfire' TV series.

The filming of “Invitation to a Bonfire” has already utilized a few of the 72 buildings WHALE has saved. Even the cobblestones would be asphalt if it wasn’t for WHALE, according to McDonald.

WHALE's mission

The mission WHALE is "to foster historic preservation and continued use of the city’s architectural heritage to enhance community and economic vitality in New Bedford."

According to its website, WHALE accomplishes its mission through the restoration and reuse of historic structures for the economic and community development of New Bedford, which provides commercial development and affordable housing to low- and moderate-income individuals and families, promotes arts and culture, and educates on the importance of the historic and architectural culture of New Bedford’s diverse people.

“It’s not only restoring the building's, it's also putting in these fantastic new reuses,” said Teri Bernert, executive director of WHALE.

For example, WHALE is working with the Community Economic Development Center (CEDC) on the Capitol Theater building, located on Acushnet Avenue, to restore and rehabilitate the 1920 mixed-use film theater and commercial building for use as a resource hub for the North End.

The organization is also working with the Cape Verdean Association of New Bedford to transform the historic Strand Theater on Acushnet Avenue to serve as the Cape Verdean Cultural Center.

'Free music therapy':Why New Bedford area DJs think karaoke is more popular than ever

Since Spring 2014, WHALE has been working to restore and preserve the First Baptist Church across from City Hall, which will eventually become home to Your Theatre.

“These projects will further connect a historic neighborhood to New Bedford’s growing creative economy,” Bernert said.

AMC will be filming through February

AMC’s “Invitation to a Bonfire'' will continue to film in New Bedford through mid-February, utilizing historic houses such as the The Whalehouse on Madison as the “main house” for the show’s story.

“It is a unique small city and not a lot of places have as much cultural richness as downtown,” Bernert added. “It’s amazing to see the work to keep it that way being highlighted.”

Movie set sign painter, Brian Denahy, paints the windows of The Drawing Room on William Street in New Bedford to resemble a 1930's furniture store for an AMC movie being filmed in New Bedford.
Movie set sign painter, Brian Denahy, paints the windows of The Drawing Room on William Street in New Bedford to resemble a 1930's furniture store for an AMC movie being filmed in New Bedford.

Set at an all-girls boarding school in New Jersey, the story follows a young Soviet refugee Zoya, who is an outcast at the school. The story is loosely based on the marriage of Vladimir and Véra Nabokov.

The series stars Tatiana Maslany, known for her title role in the new Disney+/Marvel series "She-Hulk" as well as "Orphan Black."

Maslany will star opposite Pilou Asbæk as well as Freya Mavor who also appears on the HBOMax series "Industry" and starred opposite John Malkovich in the mini-series "The ABC Murders" on BBC.

Waffles, beef jerky, deviled eggs: Over-the-top Bloody Marys trending on the SouthCoast

Although WHALE didn’t set out to attract any film crews, and will be the first to say that they take no responsibility in getting AMC to choose New Bedford to film their series, they are happy to see the historical accuracy being complimented.

“Downtown was just so historically accurate and beautiful, and hardly anything had to be changed for the filming because of what we’ve helped maintain,” McDonald said.

"And it’s a great reminder for people to know that WHALE is still going strong and continues to restore iconic and historically significant buildings downtown and throughout the city.”

Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: 'Invitation to a Bonfire' chose New Bedford for its historic scenery